The Next Treasure Fleet
Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2024 11:57 pm
Inside a meeting room in Zhongnanhai, some of the most powerful men in China look at each other across the table, while members of the Ministry of Public Security stand guard at the corners of the room. The men are President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Kuomintang Chiang Ching-kuo, Finance Minister Hsu Li-teh, Chief of the General Staff Sun Li-jen, Minister of Defense Hau Pei-tsun, and Commander of the Navy Admiral Zou Jian. After the raid on shipping headed for China, these men have called a meeting at the behest of Hu Jintao to discuss just how limited in response they could be due to the size of their navy. While all the requests for their presence referred to this as a 'meeting', the men were well aware of Hu Jintao's personality. The historically young Hu, aged only 36, was known across the political sphere as an incredibly vibrant and energetic politician. This 'meeting' would likely be little more than Hu discussing his idea relevant to these parties and how to implement it, looking more for feedback than original ideas.
Gentlemen, a day of reckoning has come for China's image. Our trade has been threatened, while our navy is barely able to conduct operations near our own waters, let alone across the Indian Ocean and project power outwards. We are reliant on other nations with greater navies than ours to protect our interests which is a situation that cannot continue. Of course, each of the areas you gentlemen oversee will be integral to this plan. Firstly Chairman Chiang, I will naturally be relying on you to ensure party unity on this subject.
Chiang Ching-kuo, the son of revolutionary leader Chiang Kai-Shek had ran the Chinese government himself for a short period in transition between his aging father and Hu Jintao. Now he was in semi-retirement as the Chairman of the Kuomintang and largely used his position to ensure party unity as a projected image.
Of course, Hu. I'm certain the memory of my father and Sun Yat Sen will be inspiration enough. They did not fight a war for us to be at the whim of foreigners again.
Hu then turned his attention to the three representatives of his armed forces.
Minister, General and Admiral. I ask of you to generate a defined modern naval doctrine for us to follow. I don't want the nation to waste countless funds on a navy that has no rhyme or reason to its purpose. Before we can start expanding our navy we must know what we are expanding towards. I entrust this matter to you three.
The three military men look towards each other, silently contemplating their own ideas of what a greater Chinese navy would look like. Admiral Zou speaks.
Mr President, I will eagerly work with my partners here to develop new doctrines for our navy to follow.
I am sure we each have our own goals for a greater Chinese navy, perhaps the best option would be for us to provide multiple options for our future goals.
I myself can see multiple avenues for a future Chinese navy that benefits the national interest. I am sure we can create multiple viable options for a security council to decide upon.
President Hu nods and turns his head to his Finance Minister. Minister Hsu, this leaves us with yoru part in all this. In order to expand the naval forces, I require additional funds to create this new navy. Obviously we have no theoretical budget for this expansion yet, but for now I ask you to begin looking at where we may be able to draw funds from to create a new Chinese navy.
Of course, Mr. President. I'll prepare a committee to find the funds. Hsu silently worried. Perhaps due to Hu's age, or is ideology or both, the Chinese government had rapidly been spending money. Hsu wasn't worried about the spending itself, moreso the economic growth associated. The extensive spending and investment had jump started the economy, but a global economic crisis may implode the government budget. Hsu was more reserved in his spending goals than Hu, but still trusted his President's judgement and committed himself to finding the funds.
President Hu looked across the table at his subordinates. He sometimes couldn't believe the position he was in at his age, and at moments like this he was thankful to be where he was. He glanced over at Chiang Ching-kuo, the man who supported his ascent to President and briefly smirked.
Thank you all for your time. I wish you all the best.
Gentlemen, a day of reckoning has come for China's image. Our trade has been threatened, while our navy is barely able to conduct operations near our own waters, let alone across the Indian Ocean and project power outwards. We are reliant on other nations with greater navies than ours to protect our interests which is a situation that cannot continue. Of course, each of the areas you gentlemen oversee will be integral to this plan. Firstly Chairman Chiang, I will naturally be relying on you to ensure party unity on this subject.
Chiang Ching-kuo, the son of revolutionary leader Chiang Kai-Shek had ran the Chinese government himself for a short period in transition between his aging father and Hu Jintao. Now he was in semi-retirement as the Chairman of the Kuomintang and largely used his position to ensure party unity as a projected image.
Of course, Hu. I'm certain the memory of my father and Sun Yat Sen will be inspiration enough. They did not fight a war for us to be at the whim of foreigners again.
Hu then turned his attention to the three representatives of his armed forces.
Minister, General and Admiral. I ask of you to generate a defined modern naval doctrine for us to follow. I don't want the nation to waste countless funds on a navy that has no rhyme or reason to its purpose. Before we can start expanding our navy we must know what we are expanding towards. I entrust this matter to you three.
The three military men look towards each other, silently contemplating their own ideas of what a greater Chinese navy would look like. Admiral Zou speaks.
Mr President, I will eagerly work with my partners here to develop new doctrines for our navy to follow.
I am sure we each have our own goals for a greater Chinese navy, perhaps the best option would be for us to provide multiple options for our future goals.
I myself can see multiple avenues for a future Chinese navy that benefits the national interest. I am sure we can create multiple viable options for a security council to decide upon.
President Hu nods and turns his head to his Finance Minister. Minister Hsu, this leaves us with yoru part in all this. In order to expand the naval forces, I require additional funds to create this new navy. Obviously we have no theoretical budget for this expansion yet, but for now I ask you to begin looking at where we may be able to draw funds from to create a new Chinese navy.
Of course, Mr. President. I'll prepare a committee to find the funds. Hsu silently worried. Perhaps due to Hu's age, or is ideology or both, the Chinese government had rapidly been spending money. Hsu wasn't worried about the spending itself, moreso the economic growth associated. The extensive spending and investment had jump started the economy, but a global economic crisis may implode the government budget. Hsu was more reserved in his spending goals than Hu, but still trusted his President's judgement and committed himself to finding the funds.
President Hu looked across the table at his subordinates. He sometimes couldn't believe the position he was in at his age, and at moments like this he was thankful to be where he was. He glanced over at Chiang Ching-kuo, the man who supported his ascent to President and briefly smirked.
Thank you all for your time. I wish you all the best.